Firearm flash arrestor device

ABSTRACT

A firearm flash arrestor device may include a housing having a housing cavity. An entrance cap, having an entrance aperture, may be coupled to a first end of the housing, and an exit cap, having an exit aperture, may be coupled to an opposing second end of the housing. The device may also include one or more baffles configured to be positioned within the housing cavity. Each baffle may include a baffle wall that may be coupled to a baffle plate, a central aperture that may be disposed in the baffle plate, and one or more peripheral apertures that may be formed into the baffle plate and baffle wall. The one or more baffles may be disposed in the housing cavity so that the central aperture of each baffle is aligned with the entrance aperture and exit aperture to provide a path for a projectile to travel through the device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent specification relates to the field of flame and spark arresting devices. More specifically, this patent specification relates to a flash arrestor device for use with a firearm that is configured to arrest flame and spark exiting from the firearm without hindering the ability of a projectile to exit the firearm.

BACKGROUND

Flash Arrestors have been used in Industries to protect sources of flammable gases and other materials from being exposed to spark or flame which can travel down a pipe line to the source causing an explosion. Typically, industries use spark arrestors in line to allow the flow of gas or liquid that is flammable to be utilized at the end user to be burned or other uses, the flash arrestor prevents intentional flame or accidental flame from traveling back down the line in reverse and causing an explosion.

Unfortunately, flash arrestors and spark arrestors have not been adapted for use with firearms. In professional work places such as law enforcement and fire and rescue, it is essential that armed persons secure a facility or location that has a potential risk of combatants that are armed at the same time the location may additional risk factors such as a flour mill, 2 wood mill, oil platform or gas refinery. All these areas have a potential threat of explosion while security forces engage armed or dangerous suspects. Further individuals that would greatly benefit from flash arrestor devices are hunters in areas where the landscape may be dry and may cause a fire if the grasses or wooded materials catch fire, further yet during self-protection flames and debris would be greatly reduced in coming in contact with but not limited to human or animal flesh, causing burns or materials in the environment catch fire.

Therefore, a need exists for novel flash arrestor devices for firearms. A further need exists for novel flash arrestor devices that allows a flame or controlled explosion of detention to expel a projectile while working to limit the explosion, detention and/or ability of the flame to exit with the projectile while at the same time working to limit the back flow of those same gases, flames and or detonation to go back in the opposite direction from which they came. There is also a need for novel flash arrestor devices for firearms that are able to protect the area outside of the device from the source of the pressure utilized to expel the projectile out of the firearm while also not hindering the ability of the projectile to exit the firearm and device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A firearm flash arrestor device is provided which allows a flame or controlled explosion of detention to expel a projectile from a firearm while working to limit the explosion, detention and/or flame to exit with the projectile while at the same time working to limit the back flow of those same gases, flames and or detonation to go back in the opposite direction from which they came. In some embodiments, the firearm flash arrestor device may include a housing having a housing cavity. An entrance cap, having an entrance aperture, may be coupled to a first end of the housing, and an exit cap, having an exit aperture, may be coupled to an opposing 3 second end of the housing. The device may also include one or more baffles configured to be positioned within the housing cavity. Each baffle may include a baffle wall that may be coupled to a baffle plate, a central aperture that may be disposed in the baffle plate, and one or more peripheral apertures that may be formed into the baffle plate and baffle wall. The one or more baffles may be disposed in the housing cavity so that the baffle wall of each baffle is relatively proximate to the entrance cap while the baffle plate of each baffle is relatively proximate to the exit cap and so that the central aperture of each baffle is aligned with the entrance aperture and exit aperture. A projectile, from a firearm to which the device may be coupled, may travel through the device by passing through the entrance aperture and through the one or more central apertures to exit the device via the exit aperture while combustion products, such as flame, sparks, etc., may be arrested within the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of some components of an example of a firearm flash arrestor device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first side perspective view of an example of a baffle according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a second side perspective view of an example of a baffle according to various embodiments described herein. 4

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of an example of a baffle positioned within a housing of a firearm flash arrestor device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevation view of an example of a firearm flash arrestor device according to various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 5

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “rear,” “front,” “side,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this 6 application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

A new firearm flash arrestor device is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. FIGS. 1 and 5 illustrate an example of a firearm flash arrestor device (“the device”) 100 according to various embodiments. The device 100 is configured to arrest flame and spark exiting from the firearm without hindering the ability of a projectile to exit the firearm. The device 100 may be used with any type of firearm, such as rifles, pistols, cannons, artillery, air rifles, tanks, handheld launching devices, such as but not limited to RPG's, Rocket Launchers, etc. It should be understood that the device 100 may be used on stationary firearms as well as on mobile firearms and mobile firearm platforms.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a housing 11 which may have a housing cavity 12 that may be sized and shaped to receive one or more baffles 31. An entrance cap 13, having an entrance aperture 17, may be coupled to a first end 14 of the housing 11, and an exit cap 15, having an exit aperture 18, may be coupled to an opposing second end 16 7 of the housing 11. The housing cavity 12 may extend between the first end 14 and the second end 16, and the entrance 13 and exit cap 15 may govern access to the housing cavity 12. A baffle 31 may comprise a baffle wall 32 that may be coupled to a baffle plate 33. A central aperture 34 may be disposed in the baffle plate 33, and one or more peripheral apertures 35 may be formed into the baffle plate 33 and baffle wall 32. The one or more baffles 31 may be disposed in the housing cavity 12 so that the baffle wall 32 of each baffle 31 is relatively proximate to the entrance cap 13 while the baffle plate 33 of each baffle 31 is relatively proximate to the exit cap 15 and so that the central aperture 34 of each baffle 3115 aligned with the entrance aperture 17 and exit aperture 18.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a housing 11 which may be configured to contain and align one or more baffles 31 in a housing cavity 12. A housing 11, and its housing cavity 12, may be configured in any shape and size. In preferred embodiments, a housing 11 may be generally cylindrical in shape. A housing 11 may be made from or may comprise steel alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, other types of metal or metal alloys, ceramics such as alumina, porcelain, and boron carbide, various types of hard plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, UHMW), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, nylon, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) also known as acrylic, melamine, hard rubbers, fiberglass, carbon fiber, resins, such as epoxy resin, or any other material including combinations of materials that are substantially rigid and suitable for withstanding heat and materials that exit a firearm.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise one or more baffles 31 that may be coupled together in a generally non-removable manner, such as with heat bonding or welding, adhesive, by being integrally formed or molded, 3D printing, etc. In some 8 embodiments, the device 100 may comprise one or more baffles 31 that may be coupled together and/or to a housing 11 in a generally non-removable manner, such as with heat bonding or welding, adhesive, by being integrally formed or molded, 3D printing, etc.

In preferred embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an entrance cap 13 that may be removably coupled to the housing 11 and/or an exit cap 15 that may be removably coupled to the housing 11 so that the cap(s) 13, 15, may be configured to removably contain the one or more baffles 31 within the housing cavity 12 of the housing 11. In some embodiments, a cap 13, 15, may be removably coupled to the housing 11 via threading 19, a turn-to-lock connection method, or any other removable coupling method. Optionally, a cap 13, 15, may comprise one or more fastening apertures 21, depressions, ridges, cutouts, texturing, etc., which may provide purchase for a wrench or other tool that may be used to facilitate the ability of a user to couple and uncouple a cap 13, 15, to the housing 11. In alternative embodiments, an entrance cap 13 or an exit cap 15 may be coupled to the housing 11 and/or a baffle 31 in a generally non-removable manner.

The device 100 may be coupled to the muzzle of a firearm so that anything exiting the muzzle must pass through the device 100. In some embodiments, the device 100 may be coupled to a muzzle via a threaded adapter which is configured to be removably coupled to the barrel/muzzle of a firearm and which may also be removably coupled to the device 100, such as to the entrance cap 13. In other embodiments, any suitable method or device for coupling the device 100 to the barrel/muzzle of a firearm may be used, such as pinning, quick release, welding, gluing/adhesive, etc.

The device 100 may comprise one or more baffles 31 which may be configured to direct flame, sparks, gasses, and other combustion products across and through the baffles 31 so 9 that any flame, sparks, etc., are arrested or extinguished before exiting the device 100. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise one or more baffles 31 which may be coupled together so that the one or more baffles 31 may be not be separated from each other. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise one or more baffles 31 which may not be coupled together within the housing cavity 12 so that the one or more baffles 31 may be separated from each other.

Each baffle 31 may comprise a central aperture 34 through which a bullet or other projectile may travel through as the bullet or other projectile passes through the baffle 31. The central apertures 34 of the baffles 31 may be aligned with the entrance aperture 17 of the entrance cap 13 and with the exit aperture 18 of the exit cap 15 to provide a path for a bullet or other projectile to pass through the device 100.

A baffle 31 may comprise a baffle wall 32 that may be coupled to a baffle plate 33. A baffle wall 32 may comprise a wall exterior surface 36 and a wall interior surface 37. A baffle wall 32 may be configured in any shape and size. In preferred embodiments, a baffle wall 32 may comprise a generally cylindrical shape. In further preferred embodiments, a baffle wall 32 may comprise a generally cylindrical shape that tapers or decreases in size so that portions of the baffle wall 32 proximate to the baffle plate 33 may have a relatively smaller circumference than portions of the baffle wall 32 distal to the baffle plate 33. In alternative embodiments, a baffle wall 32 may comprise a generally cylindrical shape that tapers or decreases in size so that portions of the baffle wall 32 distal to the baffle plate 33 may have a relatively smaller circumference than portions of the baffle wall 32 proximate to the baffle plate 33.

A wall exterior surface 36 and a wall interior surface 37 of a baffle wall 32 may be coupled to one or more wall distal surfaces 38 that may form the portions of the baffle wall 32 10 that are positioned farthest from the baffle plate 33. In preferred embodiments, the one or more wall distal surfaces 38 may comprise or be arranged in a generally circular or ring shape. Preferably, the one or more wall distal surfaces 38 of a baffle 31 may contact the baffle plate 33 of an adjacent baffle 31 or they may contact an entrance cap 13 depending on the position of the respective baffle 31 in the housing cavity 12.

A baffle plate 33 may be configured in any shape and size and may comprise a plate interior surface 39 and a plate exterior surface 41 which may be opposingly positioned to each other. Preferably, the baffle plate 33 may be coupled to portions of the baffle wall 32 that are distal to the wall distal surface(s) 38. The wall interior surface 37 of a baffle wall 32 and the plate interior surface 39 of a baffle plate 33 may generally form a baffle cavity 42 of any shape and size, but which may be shaped and sized to allow a projectile to pass through the baffle cavity 42.

In some embodiments, a baffle plate 33 may comprise one or more plate interior projections 43 which may be formed on or coupled to the plate interior surface 39. Plate interior projections 43 may be configured in any shape and size and may generally extend away from or above a plate interior surface 39. In preferred embodiments, a plate interior projection 43 may be generally annular in shape and may extend around the central aperture 34. In further embodiments, a baffle plate 33 may comprise one or more plate interior depressions which may be formed on or coupled to the plate interior surface 39 and which may generally extend into or below a plate interior surface 39.

A baffle 31 may comprise one or more peripheral apertures 35 may be formed into the baffle plate 33 and/or into the baffle wall 32, In preferred embodiments, a baffle 31 may comprise one or more peripheral apertures 35 that may be formed into both the baffle plate 33 11 and into the baffle wall 32. Peripheral apertures 35 may be configured in any shape and size. For example, a peripheral aperture 35 may comprise a half circular shape, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, a circular shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a combination of shapes, etc. In preferred embodiments, all or portions of one or more peripheral apertures 35 may be formed into the baffle plate 33 and positioned to encircle or otherwise surround the central aperture 34.

In some embodiments, a baffle plate 33 may comprise one or more plate peripheral projections 44 which may extend past the portions of the baffle plate 33 that are coupled to the baffle wall 32. Plate peripheral projections 44 may be configured in any shape and size. Each plate peripheral projection 44 may comprise one or more plate peripheral surfaces 45 which may form the portions of the plate peripheral projection 44 that are furthest from the central aperture 34. The plate peripheral surfaces 45 and the widest portions of the baffle wall 32 may form the portions of a baffle 31 which may contact the interior of the housing 11 when the baffle 31 is positioned within the housing cavity 12. In further embodiments, the baffle wall 32 may comprise one or more projections similar to the plate peripheral projections 44 which may contact the interior of the housing 11 when the baffle 31 is positioned within the housing cavity 12.

In some embodiments, a baffle 31 may comprise one or more plate recesses 46 which may be formed into a baffle plate 33. A plate recess 46 may comprise a cutout or depression which may be formed into a baffle plate 33 proximate to a peripheral aperture 35. A plate recess 46 may configured in any shape and size and may be configured to direct the motion of combustion products from a firearm as and/or after the combustion products pass through a peripheral aperture 35. In preferred embodiments, a plate recess 46 may be formed in contact 12 with or proximate to a peripheral aperture 35, and both the plate recess 46 and peripheral aperture 35 may be positioned between two adjacent plate peripheral projections 44.

In some embodiments, a baffle 31 may comprise one or more wall recesses 47 which may be formed into a baffle wall 32. Similar to a plate recess 46, a wall recess 47 may comprise a cutout or depression which may be formed into a baffle wall 32 proximate to a peripheral aperture 35. A wall recess 47 may configured in any shape and size and may be configured to direct the motion of combustion products from a firearm before and/or as the combustion products pass through a peripheral aperture 35. In preferred embodiments, a wall recess 47 may be formed in contact with or proximate to a peripheral aperture 35, and both wall recess 47 and peripheral aperture 35 may be positioned between two adjacent plate peripheral projections 44. A plate recess 46 and/or a wall recess 47 may govern the shape and positioning of a peripheral aperture 35 by forming the portion of a baffle plate 33 and baffle wall 32, respectively, that may be removed or otherwise formed into the baffle 31 to form the peripheral aperture 35.

In some embodiments, the construction of one or more elements of the device 100 may be coated in any manner of method and/or material or combination of coatings. In some embodiments, the construction of one or more elements of the device 100 may not be coated at all. In some embodiments, the device 100 may include one or more chambers, baffles 31, gaskets, any combination of the prior stated methods as well as liquids, semi-liquids, gels or non liquids which may be inserted or positioned within the housing 11 that may work in conjunction with or separately with other internals components that may be utilized to disrupt and capture, but not limited to, the exhaust gasses, spark and, or flames from exiting the device 100 that may 13 cause harm by but not limited to, causing a fire, and or bodily harm, property damage, or combination of prior mentioned.

The device 100 comprises a path by which a projectile will travel, from a firearm to which the device 100 may be attached, through the device 10 to exit the device 100. The device 100 shape and size and other dimensions will be of one that is suited to the firearm that the device 100 may be attached to. For example, a tank or artillery may have a larger sized device 100 compared to a device 100 configured to be coupled to a pistol due to the amount of gasses created and the size of flame as well as pressure created that will determine the appropriate design to contain but not limited to the flash, gasses, spark in a safe manner, and the designs will be such that each device 100 variation will be best suited for the use as a “Firearm Flash Arrestor”. The device 100 will work to prevent fires, burns and exposure to debris from the firearm that may cause damage or harm outside the intended use of the firearm. The device 100 is not intended to make the firearm intended use to which it is coupled any safer. A firearm is intended to fire a projectile to kill or destroy a target, and the device 100 will not make the projectile safe or prevent it from killing or harming.

Any suitable method may be used to construct the elements of the device 100, including but not limited to, machining, extruding, 3D printing, hand carving, casting, injection molding, etc.

While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements of the device 100, it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that a housing 11, baffle 31, and any other element described herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-14 geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device 100 may be made from or may comprise durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or may comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further 15 embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device 100.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 16 

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm flash arrestor device, the device comprising: a housing having a housing cavity; an entrance cap, having an entrance aperture, may be coupled to a first end of the housing, and an exit cap, having an exit aperture, may be coupled to an opposing second end of the housing; and one or more baffles configured to be positioned within the housing cavity, wherein each baffle may comprise a baffle wall that may be coupled to a baffle plate, a central aperture that may be disposed in the baffle plate, and one or more peripheral apertures that may be formed into the baffle plate and baffle wall, wherein the one or more baffles may be disposed in the housing cavity so that the baffle wall of each baffle is relatively proximate to the entrance cap while the baffle plate of each baffle is relatively proximate to the exit cap and so that the central aperture of each baffle is aligned with the entrance aperture and exit aperture. 17 